2025 Hyundai Palisade

Brandon Hyundai sold me this vehicle with an active stop sale. On February 20, 2026, I purchased a 2025 Hyundai Palisade from the dealership. After taking delivery of the vehicle, I discovered that the VIN associated with the vehicle was subject to an active manufacturer stop-sale related to a safety recall for which no remedy was available at the time of delivery. This critical information was not disclosed to me during the sales process and was not reflected in any documentation provided at closing, including the buyer’s order or “We Owe” form. As a consumer, I relied on the dealership to comply with applicable safety requirements and to be transparent about the condition and status of the vehicle being sold. Upon discovering the stop-sale status, I returned to the dealership the very next day, on Saturday February 21, 2026, to address the issue. During that visit, I spoke with both the Sales Manager and the Finance Manager. At that time, I was told that there was nothing that could be done because I had already signed the contract and “the ink was dry.” The seriousness of the concern I raised was initially dismissed. As I am sure you know, the contract should be void when selling a vehicle in violation of the law. Both of these managers promised me that the vehicle had undergone a safety check prior to delivery, which is not true, as later discussed. It was not until the following Monday morning, February 23, 2026, after escalating the issue again and speaking with another manager, that the dealership agreed to reverse the transaction. On that second attempt, the deal was unwound and my trade-in vehicle and down payment were returned to me. While I acknowledge that the dealership ultimately corrected the situation, the fact remains that the vehicle should never have been delivered to a consumer while under an active stop-sale condition. The initial refusal to address the issue when it was first raised with management was deeply concerning.

I am reporting Hyundai Motor America’s failure to remedy two active safety recalls on my 2025 Hyundai Palisade (VIN: [XXX] ) within a reasonable timeframe, despite multiple attempts to have the vehicle repaired. My vehicle has two open safety recalls involving critical occupant protection systems, including seat belt buckle assemblies that may fail to latch properly and a third-row occupant safety defect that increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash or rollover. On October 23, 2025, I brought my vehicle to the Hyundai dealership specifically to have the recall defects repaired. At the time of drop-off, I clearly informed the dealership that the purpose of the visit was for recall repairs. However, the dealership labeled the visit as a “maintenance appointment” instead of properly documenting it as a recall repair visit. The recall defects were not repaired. I returned to the Hyundai dealership again on February 18, 2026, after being promised that the recall repairs would be completed. Once again, Hyundai failed to repair the safety defects, and the recalls remain unresolved. It is now February 20, 2026, more than four months since I first presented the vehicle for recall repair, and Hyundai has failed to remedy these critical safety defects or provide a clear timeline for repair. These defects involve essential safety systems, including seat belts and third-row occupant protection. I have four children who regularly occupy the rear seating areas, and I am deeply concerned about their safety. Hyundai’s failure to repair these safety recalls has placed my family at risk. Because Hyundai has failed to repair the vehicle within a reasonable timeframe, I am requesting NHTSA investigation and assistance. I am also requesting that Hyundai provide trade assistance, replacement, or buyback so that I can obtain a safe vehicle for my family, at no cost to me, due to Hyundai’s inability to remedy these safety defects. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The second row captains chairs are able to be buckled when any booster or car seats are in the seat. The seat belt buckle is too far flush into the seat, so when any car seat/booster seat is in the seat, the buckle is inaccessible and blocked and the seat belt is not able to be used. We had to purchase seat belt extenders so the seat belt could be buckled. We spoke to Hyundai corporate and the local service center and they confirmed nothing could be done.